For the first time in some weeks, the prices of gold have started to rise. It happened on Friday, after a week of miserable financial news and word that deflation was on the way as fuel prices fall, food and retail prices fall, and inflation backs off. But gold comes to the rescue of investors, edging forward slightly as the dollar weakens.

This is interesting news after months of dismal prospects for miners and mining companies.

I spoke with a foreman who works for a mining company while I was at a family event this weekend. He gave me the “sad news that 1000 people were laid off by our company on Friday. We’re just not doing the work because we don’t have the customers right now.” His company mines everything from sand to salt with minerals and precious metals in between. So this latest news is good for those companies; their workers and those workers’ families.

Shares of the world’s largest gold mining companies jumped on higher gold prices Friday as investors shifted into precious metals and demand for the product continued to build.

Barrick Gold Corporation, the world’s largest gold producer, along with Newmont Mining Corp., the second largest, and other mining firms posted double-digit gains by late afternoon. The price of gold for future delivery jumped above $800 an ounce – up $52.90 to $801.60 by Friday afternoon on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The renewed interest comes as investors seek safer investments amid volatility on Wall Street. “There’s been a tremendous amount of pressure on gold in recent weeks because as there’s been a lot of liquidity selling,” Barnard Jacobs Mellet analyst Patrick Chidley said in a telephone interview.

“It’s this battle between sellers trying to find liquidity and raise cash and the long-term fundamentals which are for higher gold prices as a result of a weaker dollar,” he said.

Now here’s the key part for us here at ApplesofGold.com: although we hope for a reasonably lengthy delay in rising jewelry prices, the lower gold prices have boosted demand among jewelry manufacturers and investors, according to Chidley. This means that prices, which have been sitting idly while the economy appeared to weaken, may be going up.

Holiday prices are expected to remain low, and some say “big sales” and “huge markdown” will be the bywords this holiday season. But after that, with gold prices going up, expect jewelry prices may start to launch upwards, too. So let the buyer beware: now is the time to shop.

I'm a professional journalist with several media outlets both in Los Angeles and in Washington, DC. I have covered politics, major disasters, the markets and the economy for several years. I'm interested in covering gold prices because of what it indicates about the economy and the money supply. I try to stay positive, but right now, we are in a difficult situation financially and I'll try to bring the economy and the price of gold into focus in this blog.

Absolutely. Both 2007 and 2008 have been very challenging years for the jewelry industry, with rising gold prices, rising oil, the financial crisis, and increased costs. Let’s hope 2009 will be a bit of a breather! We can all use it!

With the growing uncertainties in the global economy, it is not surprising that the precious metals are showing some strength. It is also intersting to note that around $3.7 billion of gold bullion was recently purchased by investors in Saudi Arabia and Iran has converted its foreign exchange reserves into gold. What are they afraid of?

Birthstone Jewelry

For a love that’s true blue, it’s hard to beat sapphire engagement rings. The stunning rich blue sparkle of the sapphire is timelessly glamorous and always eye-catching, perfect for expressing a love that’s deep and that never fades. Sapphire rings have been long been loved and worn by royalty Read MoreYou Might Also Like: Red, White and Blue Gemstones for the 4th of July Something Blue: Blue Diamond Engagement Rings Diamond Bridal Sets: Three Ways These Pairs Symbolize True Love

This month is the perfect time to sport an emerald! Not only is this green gemstone the birthstone for the month of May, it’s also the inspiration for Pantone’s color of the year! The emerald’s saturated green sparkle is ideal for the season when the trees are full of leaves and the earth is full Read MoreYou Might Also Like: May Birthstone: Emerald Rings May Birthstone: Emerald The Emerald Option

Mother’s Day is here! Have you decided how you’re going to honor your mom yet? Mom jewelry of many kinds is a lovely way to show the woman who raised you—or any other woman who’s played an important role in your life—that you appreciate her, and there no better time to buy a piece of this jewelry Read MoreYou Might Also Like: Wedding Rings—and All Apples of Gold Jewelry—at 10 Percent Off! Investing in Mother’s Day